Microsoft Lines Up More Original TV Programming for Xbox Television

Microsoft now has at least six original series in production and more than a dozen in development for its Xbox Entertainment Studios, according to a new report.

Set to begin rolling out globally in June, Bloomberg reports that Microsoft will be adding interactive elements to the new shows in order to make use of Xbox technology and to help distinguish it from rivals like Netflix and Amazon.

The report fails to mention exactly how these interactive elements will work, but it is likely to make use of the Xbox One's Kinect sensor, as well as social media integration.

Big name actors and comedians have apparently been cast to add weight to the studio, including Sarah Silverman, Michael Cera and Seth Green.

Silverman and Cera are expected to appear in a sketch show with their comedy collective JASH, while Green is currently working on a stop-motion show with the creators of Robot Chicken at Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.

Humans

A new drama series based on the hit Swedish sci-fi drama "Real Humans" was also announced by Microsoft today.

Partnering with Channel 4 to produce the show, Humans will air in the UK on terrestrial television and in the US on the Xbox network.

Nancy Tellem, entertainment and digital media president of Microsoft, said: "This deal with Channel 4 and Kudos underscores Xbox Entertainment Studios' commitment to programming premium TV series with global partners and creating engaging interactive experiences."

The new shows will join the previously announced Halo television series produced by Steven Spielberg and Every Street United, a street football reality show timed to coincide with the World Cup.

"We aren't trying to find something that's going to be accepted by the largest common denominator, which is what a lot of people in the business look for," said Tellem. "We're focused on what we feel our audience on our platform wants."